1^8 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



(4) Protection 

 A nimal. 



The most effective way to keep mice away from nursery areas rests with 

 cleanliness. An accumulation of leaves, pine needles, and other debris, provides 

 an excellent nesting place for such rodents, that can do a great deal of damage 

 if not impeded. Mice are particularly fond of tree seed, and can get away with 

 an alarming quantity. They are also profusely given to girdling. 



As a preventative measure in this respect, the practice of cleaning out all 

 hedges, and raking up litter about the nursery, particularly the seed-bed area, 

 has been rigidly adhered to and has proved of merit. 



Squirrels are also a nuisance. During an off nut year they are exceptionally 

 active in girdling, especially Scotch pine, and in seed thieving. A general 

 clean-up around the productive area, and shooting the arboreous rodents them- 

 selves, seems to be most effective. 



Snaring and shooting rabbits has been effective in reducing damage from 

 this source to a minimum. 



Insects. 



I am pleased to report that insect damage during 1928 has not been serious. 

 The white pine weevil persists, however, and demands consistent combating. 



Three men under supervision made a detailed inspection of all white pine 

 plantations, removing weeviled pine leaders, which were afterwards deposited 

 in tightly screened containers. An accurate count of the number of infested 

 trees is now kept with a view of acquiring information from year to year as to 

 the degree of damage, and whether we are gaining ground in this preventative 

 effort. 



Disease. 



Several jack pine plantations went off colour this year. The foliage turned 

 a sickly pale yellow, and needle drop was abnormal during the months of Sep- 

 tember and October. Mr. A. W. McCallum, Forest Pathologist, of Ottawa, 

 made a two-day inspection of the Forestry Station, and after careful investigation 

 stated that he could discern no evidence of a pathological disturbance that 

 might account for the discoloration of the jack pine. These plantations in 

 question will be the subject of further observation. 



An outbreak of white pine blister rust was discovered within one mile of 

 the nurseries on domesticated currant bushes. The owner has kindly co-operated 

 with us and has destroyed his plants. Three (approximately) forty-year-old 

 pine standing about 150 feet from the diseased currant bushes are dead, two 

 others dying. These trees are being removed. * 



Members of the family ribes have again been eradicated on and about the 

 Forestry Station. A count of the number of bushes dug up has also in this 

 case been kept. Work in this connection has been carried out much more 

 intensively than in former years. 



Scotch Pine Gall. 



Inspection was made this year for evidence of Scotch pine gall. This disease 

 was found on widely separated trees, and has not assumed alarming proportions. 

 How it has occurred at all is a mystery, as no alien nursery stock has been 

 imported for over fifteen years. All trees infected badly were cut out and burned, 

 while, where but one or two galls were found, these were removed, and the 

 trees marked for further observation. 



